UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh | Heart Institute

Advanced Care. Friendly Space.

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh envisioned a dedicated space for their Heart Institute that could advance their leading-edge care in pediatric cardiology. To bring this vision to life, HGA designed a three-story addition situated atop an existing parking garage on the hospital’s campus. 

The new 50,000 SF Heart Institute supports the diverse needs of care teams and expands the breadth of care by employing a universal layout of the cardiac catheterization laboratory that standardizes workflows. Existing catheterization labs are relocated and a new catheterization lab connected to a cardiac MRI establishes a state-of-the-art hybrid procedural space. Inpatient and outpatient procedural rooms, along with private prep and recovery areas, were planned to optimize care through efficiency and a patient-centered approach to pediatric cardiac treatment.  

The Heart Institute’s interior was designed to reinforce its identity as a space for young patients. Bright colors, playful motifs, and custom environmental graphics create an engaging pediatric space that aligns with the hospital’s overall aesthetic while offering a fresh, cheerful feel. Vibrant hues, soothing lighting, and age-appropriate furnishings all contribute to an atmosphere that aids healing and promotes well-being of patients, families, and staff.